The search for generic manufacturing strategies in the UK engineering industry

Abstract:

The search for generic manufacturing strategies has been attempted previously using the American and the European Manufacturing Futures
survey data. This paper details the results of a study using manufacturing
strategy and performance data submitted by 120 competitors for the 1993 and
1994 UK Best Factory Award.
The research method used was the same as that applied by the previous
researchers of this subject. This was to carry out a cluster analysis of the
rankings of emphasis to be given to the improvement of six competitive
capabilities during a two year period following completion of the
questionnaire. Only data from UK engineering companies were used for this
analysis.
The study findings are similar to those of the previous American study but add
to them. Four distinct clusters of different competitive capabilities were
observed. The distinguishing competitive capability of each cluster was found
to be consistent with those detailed in a previously published theoretical
framework that linked competitive capabilities with generic manufacturing
strategy types.